March 08, 2007 - Reining has been added as the fourth discipline to The United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) 2007 North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC) for junior and young riders ages 14-21. The NAYRC began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between young riders from the United States and Canada. A dressage championship was added in 1981, and show jumping was added in 1982. The first championship was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982. Fully recognized championships for junior riders were added in 2006.

NRHA Executive Director, Dan Wall, says, "This is such an important step for the sport of reining. To be recognized as the only western discipline is a real honor. It is a great opportunity for our young riders and we look forward to even more people becoming involved in the excitement of reining. This event will showcase one of the additional USEF programs available to NRHA members."

Riders must compete in a series of qualifying competitions. These qualifiers are being held now in four regions across the nation.
• Mountain region - National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO, January 6, 2007.
• Central region - Gordyville Breeders Cup in Gifford, IL, March 17, 2007.
• Eastern region - Central Ohio Reining Horse Association Show in Sunbury, OH, May 27, 2007.
• Western region to be determined.

From those qualifiers, teams of four riders will be selected in each region by the USEF. Those four teams will then compete at the NAYRC July 31 – August 5, 2007, at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA.